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Caitlin Clark's fan love vs. Tiger Woods' exclusivity—who's got the right approach?

If the last few years left any doubt about Caitlin Clark’s popularity, today’s LPGA event should have dispelled them. When the Indiana Fever point guard comes to town, crowds gather en masse to just watch a glimpse of her making unbelievable passes or shooting a three. Today, when she exchanged the hardwood floor for green grass, Clark’s loyal fanbase was not far behind. It surpassed even the popularity of pro golfers, as one reporter put it.

Christine Brennan, a pioneer in journalism about women’s sports, is writing a book on the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year. While she has revealed that her upcoming work is “unauthorized” and that she has never sat down with CC to talk, Brennan still actively follows her progress. So when Clark’s LPGA appearance went viral today, the reporter seemed to take a slight dig at perhaps the most popular name in the sport, Tiger Woods.

“I’ve covered golf my entire career. Currently, I’m writing a book on Caitlin Clark,” Brennan wrote on X, reposting a video from a golf reporter about the “Caitlin Clark madness.” “I’ve seen lots of autograph scrums for male golfers, but none with this emotion and energy. It would have happened for Tiger but he wouldn’t sign autographs. Clark does this everywhere she goes.”

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Who knew Tiger Woods not signing enough autographs would be perceived in this way someday? Brennan infamously came under fire last month when she questioned DiJonai Carrington about poking Clark in the eye in the playoffs. But calling it “Journalism 101,” Brennan continues boldly, with her latest post seemingly aimed at Woods.

The pro golfer is famous for refusing to sign autographs sometimes at events, and even his signed memorabilia is hard to find. Collectors would drool at the thought of a signed Woods golf ball. However, while the 48-year-old has had a few decades to build up his name and a career strong enough to be in the position to refuse, Caitlin Clark doesn’t use the same strategy.

At a post-game press conference, the Fever guard spoke of how signing autographs matters to her, “It puts into perspective how special these moments are people — whether they meet you or not. Getting to enjoy this environment and this experience of the game it what really makes lifelong memories for them.”

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Caitlin Clark's fan love vs. Tiger Woods' exclusivity—who's got the right approach?

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She has also spoken about how taking out a few minutes from her time to sign her jerseys or memorabilia that fans, especially young girls, bring can have a deep impact on them but take nothing away from her.

It’s something Clark herself has experienced as a fan of sports personalities growing up. Just like she talked about how she ran up and hugged the Minnesota Lynx legend Maya Moore once. But just because she gets the importance of giving fans as much of her time as possible she won’t put up boundaries.

When Caitlin Clark refused to sign an overbearing fan’s jersey

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It’s sometimes taken for granted that celebrities will always be there to cater to their fans’ needs. But sometimes a line needs to be drawn, and that’s exactly what Caitlin Clark did when she signed fans’ memorabilia pre-game in September. A fan came bounding from the back to offer his jersey to her.

No. 22 was signing jerseys of those right in front of her, standing calmly and waiting their turn. But the fan who came from behind seemed to put his jersey close to Clark’s face, which she at first ignored. Moving on to the other side, the fan seemed to cover the jersey she was already signing and the No. 22 physically pushed it away from her, firmly refusing to sign it.

After that incident, she has also hinted that she prioritizes signing for young girls and boys who want to be like her when they grow up.

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While the ROTY knows how important it is to take care of her loyal fanbase every now and then, which she does by dedicatedly signing their items, sometimes she needs to bring in a little Tiger Woods spirit to games!

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